Il House could vote on leaner budget Friday

The Illinois House of Representatives is preparing to vote on a budget that would make drastic cuts across state government. This is the budget Gov. Pat Quinn and other Democrats have been warning about. It would cut spending across Illinois government, from prisons to human services to schools.

That's because the state income tax, raised to 5 percent a few years ago, is scheduled to roll back at the end of the year. Quinn wants to make that higher tax rate permanent, but a lot of House Democrats are reluctant to cast such a politically unpopular vote.

House Democratic spokesman Steve Brown says the House could vote on this smaller budget Friday. The key question is whether lawmakers who oppose the tax can also make the huge cuts Democratic leaders say are required.

The move could give them the three-day weekend to see if they're comfortable with a leaner Illinois government.